Objective: To study the effect of celestial moxibustion (CM) on osteoporosis in ovziectomized rats.

Methods: 40 Wistar female rats were randomIy divided into normal group (n=8), 6-month mode1 group (n=8), 6-month model + CM group (n=8), 9-month model group (n=8) and 9-month model+ CM group (n=8). Animals of the last 4 groups received ovziectomy operation. 6 months (the second and third groups) or 9 months (the last two groups) after operation, the animals were killed and blood and bone samples were taken out for detection of serum osteocalcin by using radioimmunoassay bone density by using fluoroscopy, loading flexibility of the femur and its inner and outer diameters of the cortex of the transverse section.

Results: Immediate CM or CM conducted 3 months after oviziectomy, serum osteocalcin level increased; immediate CM could cause the transverse section area of femurto increase significantly (P0.05).

　　Li Xiaohong , Li Xuewu, Zhang Lufen,
　　Dept. Of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Massage, Beijing University of TCM, Beijing 00029, China.